MLB Network's take on "Face of the Game" tells a story of what could've been for Cubs

Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson is meant to be the face of what is supposed to be a contending season for the North Siders but instead, his struggles have been a reminder of everything that has gone wrong with the Cubs since winning the World Series in 2016.

Sure, that may be an aggressive statement, but the fact remains that since winning the World Series in 2016, the Cubs haven't acted like the Cubs in terms of Major League Baseball free agency.

The Cubs added Yu Darvish after the 2017 season but that was a case of Darvish's free agency lasting long enough to where his price made sense.

It seemed that the Cubs, during the 2017 offseason, were saving their spending for Bryce Harper, a free agent after the 2018 season. Harper seemed to be the face that Theo Epstein wanted to represent the next iteration of the Cubs' contention window but a spending mandate from Tom Ricketts seemed to have derailed the pursuit before it even started.

Harper has since become the heart of the Philadelphia Phillies' roster and as long as he is healthy, the Phillies will always stand to have a chance. It's no surprise to see him listed among MLB Network's "Faces of the Game" take.

It's a case of could have been for the Cubs. The addition of Harper doesn't mean the Cubs would have another World Series title by now but it represents exactly what the North Siders are missing now--a defining superstar.

Chances are that is a need that will go another offseason without beind addressed as the Cubs have, seemingly, already been ruled out from adding Juan Soto this offseason.

To make matters worse, one of the players that MLB Network listed is in the Cubs' division for multiple seasons ahead. Paul Skenes is in his rookie season, and his 2.6 fWAR through only 16 starts this season shows why he will be a menace to the Cubs moving forward. But hey, at least Swanson has nice hair.